Profile

Mr. Melkamu Mekonnen is a seasoned hospitality leader with over 19 years of progressive experience spanning operations, leadership, and strategic development. As Founder and Managing Director of Leadwise Hospitality and Co-founder of Betegibar Partners, he brings deep expertise in Strategic Hospitality Leadership, Multi-Property Operations, Human Capital Development, and Customer Experience Excellence. Beginning his career as a server, Mr. Mekonnen’s rise through the ranks reflects his exceptional understanding of both frontline service and executive management. His tenure as Managing Director at Haile Hotels and Resorts marked a pivotal era of transformation, where his visionary leadership and creation of the “I Am Haile Service Culture” propelled the brand to national prominence. A results-driven strategist, he is recognized for optimizing operations, elevating service quality, and nurturing organizational cultures that inspire excellence. Through Leadwise Hospitality, he continues to influence Ethiopia’s hospitality landscape by guiding hotel pre-openings, driving operational restructuring, and cultivating service leadership. Passionate about people and performance, Mr. Mekonnen champions learning and development, employee engagement, and strategic HR leadership, believing that empowered teams are the foundation of lasting success in hospitality.